Closure cap for a container

ABSTRACT

In a closure cap ( 1 ) for a container having a disk-like lid ( 3 ) in which is provided a product dispensing channel ( 5 ) that leads to an opening ( 4 ), a hinge ( 6 ) is used to hinge the lid ( 3 ) to a casing member ( 7 ) of the closure cap ( 1 ). The hinge ( 6 ) is provided in order to be able to swivel the lid ( 3 ) selectively into a closed position, in which the opening ( 4 ) is sealed by an inner surface ( 8 ) of the casing member ( 7 ), and into an open position, in which the opening ( 4 ) is not covered by the casing member ( 7 ). A connection ( 9 ), especially a screw thread, is used for applying the closure cap ( 1 ) to the container and for supplying product from the container via a slot ( 10 ) in the closure cap ( 1 ) to the product dispensing channel ( 5 ). In order to reliably prevent product from discharging from the opening ( 4 ) when the lid ( 3 ) is not exactly closed or when pressure is inadvertently applied to the container, a seal ( 15 ) is provided on the opening ( 4 ).

The subject matter of the application relates to a container with adisk-top closure. Containers of this type have a swiveling lid. The lidforms, for example, the head region of a closure cap. By manuallypressing on one edge of the lid, an opposite edge of the lid is swungupward and frees an opening provided in the lid for the dispensing ofproduct. After product is discharged, the lid is pushed back into itsoriginal position, which seals the opening.

A closure cap of this type for a container is known from U.S. Pat. No.6,564,978 B1. The closure cap has a disk-type lid in which a productdispensing channel leading to an opening is provided. A hinge is used tohold the lid on a casing member of the closure cap in order to be ableto swivel the lid about the hinge and thereby be able either to swivelthe lid selectively into a closed position, in which the opening issealed off by the inner surface of the casing member, or into an openposition, in which the opening is not covered by the casing member. Aconnection, especially a screw thread, is provided for application ofthe closure cap on the container and for supplying product of thecontainer via a slot in the closure cap to the product dispensingchannel.

The known closure cap has the disadvantage that if the lid is notexactly closed, product can escape from the opening.

Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a solution forthis disadvantage.

The objective is achieved by providing a seal on the opening that isused to seal the lid against the inner surface of the casing member.

The proposed innovation has the advantage that product is reliablyprevented from being discharged in an undesired manner from the openingwhen the lid is not exactly closed or if pressure is inadvertentlyapplied to the container. A preferred seal comprises an inner sealingsurface which acts against a second sealing surface on the opening andlid of the container.

In order to strip off the product that sticks to the inner surface, itis proposed that two sealing webs running above and beneath the openingtransverse to the swiveling direction be provided on the lid. When thelid is swiveled, a deposit of product is wiped from the inner surface.If the lid is opened, the bottom sealing web moves upward to strip awayproduct sticking to the inner surface of the casing member, so that thisarea of the casing member is cleaned. After a removal of product, asmall amount of product may remain on the opening of the lid. The uppersealing web prevents this small amount from covering the inner surfacewhen the lid is closed if the lid is swiveled through a non-closedposition.

The invention is described in detail below with reference to Figuresbelow.

The following is shown:

FIG. 1 in a perspective view, a closure cap for a container that has aswiveling lid in the head region of a casing member;

FIG. 2 in a perspective view, the closure cap of FIG. 1, but with thelid removed;

FIG. 3 in a view from above, the closure cap of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 in a section along A-A of FIG. 3, the closure cap of FIG. 1 withthe lid closed;

FIG. 5 in a section, a detail X of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 in a section along A-A of FIG. 3, the closure cap of FIG. 1 whenthe lid is swung and thereby opened;

FIG. 7 in a section along C-C of FIG. 3, the closure cap of FIG. 1 withthe lid closed;

FIG. 8 in a section along D-D of FIG. 3, the closure cap of FIG. 1 withthe lid closed; and

FIG. 9 in a section an object analogous to FIG. 8, but with adifferently designed snap closure between the lid and the casing member.

In a closure cap 1 (FIG. 1) for a container, a product dispensingchannel 5 that leads to an opening 4 is provided in a disk-like lid 3(FIG. 4). A hinge 6 (FIG. 2, FIG. 8) is used for the hinged support oflid 3 on a casing member 7 of closure cap 1 in order to be able toswivel hinge 6 and in so doing to be able to swivel lid 3 selectivelyinto a closed position (FIG. 4), in which opening 4 is sealed by aninner surface 8 of casing member 7, or into an open position (FIG. 6),in which opening 4 is not covered by casing member 7. A connection 9,which is designed as a screw thread, is used for applying closure cap 1to the container and for supplying product from the container via a slot10 of closure cap 1 to product dispensing channel 5. Hinge 6 is designedas a snap closure. Therefore, lid 3 can be placed in a simple manner onotherwise complete closure cap 1 (FIG. 2). Closure cap 1 (FIG. 1, FIG.3), which thereafter is complete, may then be opened by manuallypressing on a finger support 19.

In FIGS. 1 to 8, lid 3 has two hinge slots 12 on its side facing capinterior 11 that are open toward cap interior 11 and each of which holdsa hinge pin 13 connected to casing member 7.

Lid 3 of closure cap 1 of FIG. 9 has two hinge pins 13 on its sidefacing cap interior 11 that are held by two hinge slots 12 connected tocasing member 7.

In one embodiment, every two undercuts 14 of a hinge slot 12 are used tosnap hinge slot 12 onto one hinge pin 13. On each of two opposing sidesof casing member 7, a hinge pin 13 is provided that engages in a hingeslot 12. An orientation bevel 2 borders each of four undercuts 14 inorder to achieve a precise mounting of lid 3 even if there is an inexactplacement of lid 3. Each two orientation bevels 2 on a hinge slot 12function as a funnel for a hinge pin 13 to be inserted.

A seal 15 is provided on opening 4 that is used to seal lid 3 againstinner surface 8 of casing member 7 (FIG. 5). Seal 15 has a first sealingsurface 16 on inner surface 8 against which a second sealing surface 17,which is provided on opening 4 and on lid 3, acts. Two sealing webs 18,which run transverse to the swivel direction above and below opening 4,are provided on lid 3. Seal 15 is formed by sealing webs 18, which areplaced against sealing surface 16. It reliably prevents product fromescaping, even when lid 3 is not exactly closed. Furthermore, thesealing webs are used for stripping off product residues sticking toinner surface 8 so that no significant encrustations of product occurthere.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS LIST

-   -   1 Closure cap    -   2 Orientation bevels    -   3 Lid    -   4 Opening    -   5 Product dispensing channel    -   6 Hinge    -   7 Casing member    -   8 Inner surface    -   9 Connection    -   10 Slot    -   11 Cap interior    -   12 Hinge slot    -   13 Hinge pin    -   14 Undercut    -   15 Seal    -   16, 17 Sealing surface    -   18 Sealing web    -   19 Finger support

The dimensions and values disclosed herein are not to be understood asbeing strictly limited to the exact numerical values recited. Instead,unless otherwise specified, each such dimension is intended to mean boththe recited value and a functionally equivalent range surrounding thatvalue. For example, a dimension disclosed as “40 mm” is intended to mean“about 40 mm”.

All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, inrelevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of anydocument is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior artwith respect to the present invention. To the extent that any meaning ordefinition of a term in this written document conflicts with any meaningor definition of the term in a document incorporated by reference, themeaning or definition assigned to the term in this written documentshall govern.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beenillustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in theart that various other changes and modifications can be made withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is thereforeintended to cover in the appended claims all such changes andmodifications that are within the scope of this invention.

1. A closure cap comprising a disk-like lid in which a productdispensing channel leading to an opening is provided, a hinge for thehinged attachment of the lid to a casing member of the closure cap inorder to be able to swivel the lid about the hinge and in so doing beable to swivel the lid selectively into a closed position, in which theopening is sealed by an inner surface of the casing member, or into anopen position, in which the opening is not covered by the casing member,and a connection comprising a screw threading for mounting the closurecap on the container and for feeding product of the container via a slotof the closure cap to the product dispensing channel, wherein a seal isprovided on the opening and is operable to seal the lid against theinner surface of the casing member.
 2. A closure cap according to claim1, wherein the seal comprises a first sealing surface on the innersurface against which a second sealing that is provided on the openingand on the lid acts.
 3. A closure cap according to claim 1, wherein thelid comprises two sealing webs which run above and below the openingtransverse to the swivel direction.